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Apples Desserts Cakes Pies
4.4 from 340 votes

Apple Pie Cake

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By: Joanna Cismaru •10/2/22 205 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Apple Pie Cake – Is it pie or is it cake? It’s both! This sweet, cinnamon-y, moist pastry is a year round hit, no matter the season!

slice of Apple Pie Cake on a plate sprinkled with powdered sugar

Apple Pie Cake Recipe

Pie or cake? Is this the eternal question in anyone else kitchen or just mine? Luckily through my own tireless efforts and much taste testing (a real grind I know) I have the answer to your dessert dilemma.  This apple pie cake recipe combines the best of both worlds; soft spongy cake meets syrupy apple pie filling and the rest is history. Whether you have vanilla ice cream on hand or not, this is the sweet treat to end your day with.

I simply love this pie cake, that’s what I’ll call it from now on, pie cake. It’s so simple to make, and yes I did use a yellow cake mix just because this is supposed to be a quick cake, so I’m all about taking shortcuts during times like this. This pie cake has 3 layers, the yellow cake, the apples and the topping. It’s simply divine!

Ingredients In Apple Pie Cake

2 process shots showing how to assemble Apple Pie Cake

Apple mixture

  • Apples – I used Macintosh apples as they’re in season at the moment here in Canada, however any kind will do! Be sure to slice them thin and bite sized.
  • Brown sugar – I used brown sugar for this recipe as I want to develop a nice dark color for my apple ‘filling’. It will also give a note of caramel to the dish.
  • Lemon juice – This will prevent the sliced apples from oxidizing before they’re put in the oven, it also gives a nice tart note to the dish.

Cake

  • Boxed yellow cake mix – This is meant to be a quick cake and you all know by now that when the time calls for it, I’m not shy about taking shortcuts. If gluten free is available feel free to use that instead.
  • Water – This particular cake mix called for water but if yours calls for milk use that instead.
  • Oil – A light flavorless oil, canola is always a good go to, is important for ensuring your cake turns out moist.
  • Eggs – This will bind our batter.

Topping

  • Flour – I used all purpose, gluten free flour will also work fine.
  • Brown sugar – The molasses in the brown sugar will melt down in the oven, forming a beautiful thin crust of sugar over top of the cake.
  • Salt –  Say it with me now: every good dessert is only as good as it’s sugar to salt balance.
  • Butter – As we want this topping to be crumbly, butter will be cut in with a fork.

Apple Pie Cake before and out of the oven

How To Make Apple Pie Cake

This apple pie cake recipe has 3 layers; the yellow cake layer, apple pie mixture, and the heavenly topping. Each will be poured over the last in your cake pan.

Prepare your oven: Preheat oven to 350 F degrees and spray a 13 x 9 inch pan with cooking spray.

Prepare the cake mix: Prepare the yellow cake according to package instructions: add cake mix, the 3 eggs, water, and oil to the bowl of your mixer and mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.

Combine apple mixture: In a medium bowl, toss together the apple mixture ingredients before spreading them evenly over the cake batter.

Make the topping: In a medium bowl stir together the flour, brown sugar, and salt for your topping. Cut the butter in using a fork to ensure that the topping becomes crumbly as the butter is worked in. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples evenly.

Finish the pie cake: Bake anywhere from 35 minutes to an hour, or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before serving. If you’re feeling fancy, feel free to sprinkle the dessert liberally with powdered sugar before serving.

Storing Apple Pie Cake

The best method of storage is to refrigerate in an air tight container for up to 3-4 days. If freezing be sure to let it cool to room temperature before wrapping in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

A slice of Apple Pie Cake with icing sugar on top

Craving More Desserts? Try These:

  • Apple Pie Taquitos
  • Churro Apple Pie Cookies
  • Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars
  • Classic Apple Pie
  • Quick Apple Turnovers
  • Chocolate Swiss Roll
  • Apple Crumble

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

a slice of apple pie cake dusted with powdered sugar on a plate
Print
4.44 from 340 votes

Apple Pie Cake

Prep 30 minutes
Cook 1 hour
Total 1 hour 30 minutes
Rate Recipe
Apple Pie Cake – Is it pie or is it cake? It’s both! For those times when you can’t decide if you want pie or cake, this apple pie cake will satisfy both cravings!
12

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker SuperMoist yellow cake mix)
  • 1½ cups water
  • ⅓ cup oil
  • 3 eggs

Apple Mixture

  • 6 apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Topping

  • ¾ cup all purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter (cut into small pieces)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F degrees and spray a 13×9 inch pan with baking spray.
  • Prepare the yellow cake according to package instructions: add cake mix, 3 eggs, water and oil to the bowl of your mixer and mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour into prepared pan.
  • In a medium bowl, toss together the apple mixture ingredients together and spread over the cake batter.
  • In a medium bowl stir together the flour, brown sugar and salt for the topping and cut in the butter using a fork or pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.
  • Sprinkle topping over the apples and cake batter, evenly.
  • Bake anywhere from 35 minutes to an hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if preferred.

Video

Notes

  1. For the cake please follow the instructions on your cake mix box. The ingredients listed and instructions were as per the instructions on the cake mix I used, but they could vary.
  2. The best method of storage is to refrigerate in an air tight container for up to 3-4 days. If freezing be sure to let it cool to room temperature before wrapping in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
  3. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 434kcal (22%)Carbohydrates: 61g (20%)Protein: 4.5g (9%)Fat: 20.1g (31%)Saturated Fat: 6.8g (43%)Cholesterol: 62mg (21%)Sodium: 412mg (18%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 36.6g (41%)

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

a slice of apple pie cake dusted with powdered sugar on a plate

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Recipe source: Betty Crocker

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Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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205 Comments
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Barb Clairmont
Barb Clairmont
Posted: 14 days ago

Can I use canned apple pie filling instead of the regular apples

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Barb Clairmont
Posted: 14 days ago

Sure!

0
Reply
Sharon
Sharon
Posted: 15 days ago

5 stars
I found this recipe while searching for a recipe to use up a yellow box cake I had in the pantry and just happened to also have apples. It is delicious! It took every bit of an hour to bake. So glad I also found “Jo Cooks” as I have saved several recipes already.

Last edited Posted: 15 days ago by Sharon
0
Reply
Joseph
Joseph
Posted: 2 months ago

Made this as directed and it came out perfect. Really delicious with a cup of coffee!

0
Reply
Patrice Beittel
Patrice Beittel
Posted: 3 months ago

Silly me! I made this apple pie cake thinking that I could freeze half of it for a later use. It turned out so delicious that my family of three absolutely forbid me to freeze it, It didn’t take long for the pie/cake to totally disappear. I am usually a “from scratch” baker, but I will be making this again and again. So easy and so scrumptious! Thanks!

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Patrice Beittel
Posted: 3 months ago

My pleasure, so glad you liked it!

0
Reply
Sara
Sara
Posted: 1 year ago

Would it still come out good if I used oat flour for the topping?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Sara
Posted: 1 year ago

I haven’t tried it myself, but I think it should be fine.

0
Reply
Lauren Smith
Lauren Smith
Posted: 1 year ago

Has anyone tried this with canned apple pie filling?

0
Reply
Tara
Tara
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
I doctored things a bit but wow! Amazingly delicious cake! Perfect for any time!!!

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Reply to  Tara
Posted: 1 year ago

We’re so glad you enjoyed it!

0
Reply
Dianne Derry
Dianne Derry
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
I used this recipe using blueberries, it turned out fabulous. My family loved it. Will use apples next time. Thank you 😋

1
Reply
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Jo Cooks Team AMJ
Reply to  Dianne Derry
Posted: 1 year ago

So glad you loved it!

0
Reply
dana nichols
dana nichols
Posted: 2 years ago

can this be made as a bundt cake?

1
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  dana nichols
Posted: 2 years ago

Sure!

1
Reply
Myles
Myles
Reply to  dana nichols
Posted: 2 years ago

I was going to use a bundt pan too, did you try it yet? I feel like I should put the “pie crust” down first since I will be flipping it over.

0
Reply
Christina
Christina
Reply to  Myles
Posted: 4 months ago

Did you ever try this in a Bundt pan? I’m curious as to how long it would bake.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Christina
Posted: 4 months ago

I haven’t, but you should be able to easily, I think it would still take about 30 to 35 minutes, but best to use a toothpick after 30 minutes to test if it’s done.

0
Reply
Jennifer Molnar
Jennifer Molnar
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
So easy to make, used apples that were already cooked so cut down the cooking time.

0
Reply
Linda
Linda
Posted: 2 years ago

LOVED the Apple Pie Cake! 😋 I used Sugar Free Yellow Cake Mix and Granny Smith Apples. Instead of making Apple Pie for Thanksgiving, I’m making the Apple Pie Cake.

0
Reply
Kim
Kim
Posted: 2 years ago

Silly question! Do you add those extra eggs and oil after you mix the cake batter with the ingredients on the box?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Kim
Posted: 2 years ago

No no, just what the box asks for, just follow the box instructions. I included the ingredients in the recipe card so people know what ingredients they’ll need before making this.

0
Reply
Jenean Graham
Jenean Graham
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
I made this cake and before I could take a picture it was gone. My family and friends loves it. I follow the recipe and it came out perfect. I will definitely make it again.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jenean Graham
Posted: 2 years ago

So glad you guys liked it! 🙂

0
Reply
Lisa Pierce
Lisa Pierce
Posted: 2 years ago

My cake wasn’t done 35 minutes, the toothpick had batter on it, looks runny… any advice?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Lisa Pierce
Posted: 2 years ago

Bake it longer, each oven is different.

1
Reply
JMP
JMP
Posted: 2 years ago

Delicious and very easy to make. I used fresh apple cider instead of water and a variation of apples. Added some cinnamon to the top crumble mixture along with sliced almonds. Delicious!

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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